The History Of The Air Jordan 1 Low

Low

The Air Jordan 1 Low originally came out in 1985. Two OG colors released, White/Metallic Blue and White/Natural Gray. The 1 Low used a blend of leather and synthetic materials in the upper. The advantage of the 1, compared to the High, is how easy it is to wear. It’s a more comfortable shoe for everyday use than the High. Currently, it is one of the top casual shoes in the marketplace. A large variety of color schemes are available and are consistently releasing.

The Business Of The 1

Michael Jordan signed an endorsement contract with Nike for $2.5 million his rookie year. That looks like clearance aisle pricing today, but at the time many felt MJ, an unproven rookie, didn’t deserve a contract that large.

When sneakerheads think of the Jordan 1 and colorways, they usually first think of the Jordan 1 “Banned.” The Banned, also known as the “BRED,” featured a black, red, and white colorway. The shoe received that Banned nickname because every time Jordan laced them up, he was fined $5,000 per game.

Today, the NBA allows players to wear almost any shoe they want, no matter the colors or design. In 1985, the league was far more conservative when it came to shoes and the Air Jordan 1 Banned violated league uniform rules. There has been talk that the Banned legend is more fiction than reality. With many speculating that it was all a marketing ploy by the geniuses at Nike. Regardless of the validity of the story, the Banned saga helped to make the Air Jordan 1 a legend.